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The
Zoology graduate program offers three degrees: a thesis M.S.
(Plan A), a more coursework-oriented non-thesis M.S.
(Plan B), and the Ph.D. The thesis
M.S. and the Ph.D. are research-oriented degrees, intended
primarily for students intending a career involving research.
The non-thesis M.S. requires less research experience than
does the thesis M.S. and so is appropriate for students planning
non-research careers, such as teaching or government service,
as well as those planning research careers.
Degree requirements
The following is only a summary of the requirements for the
degrees. A complete specification of the requirements is given
in the Zoology Graduate
Handbook.
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General
requirements (all degrees)
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Diagnostic
examination
All Zoology graduate students take a diagnostic examination
at the start of their first semester, which assesses their
knowledge of all aspects of zoology. Students are expected
to demonstrate knowledge at the level that can reasonably
be acquired through undergraduate coursework; Ph.D. students
are expected to show knowledge at a graduate level in their
area of specialization (cell and molecular, organismic, or
supraorganismic). Students not meeting these expectations
will be required to take remedial coursework.
Introductory seminar
All new Zoology graduate students are required to take Zool
691C, a one-credit orientation to the faculty and facilities
of the department and other resources at the University.
Annual seminar
All Zoology graduate students are required to take at least
one graduate-level seminar or topics course each year.
Annual progress report
All Zoology graduate students are required to meet with their
thesis, program, or dissertation committee at least once a
year. All Zoology graduate students other than those in their
first year are required to submit a progress report to the
Graduate Instruction Committee each fall semester; this report
also will be reviewed by the student's MS or PhD committee.
Annual research presentation
All Zoology graduate students are required to give a formal
public presentation on their research at least once each year
(except their first year in the program).
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| M.S.
Plan A — thesis |
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Course
requirements
Plan A requires a minimum of 24 credit hours of course work
and 6 credit hours of ZOOL 700 (thesis). The 24 credit hours
must include at least 12 credit hours of 600- or higher-level
course work. The 24 credit hours may include up to 6 credit
hours from related departments and up to 2 credit hours of
ZOOL 699. The principal component of the Plan A M.S. program
is original research reported in the thesis. The thesis must
be defended in a public oral presentation followed by questions
on the work from the thesis committee.
Time limit
The Master’s degree is to be completed within five years.
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| M.S.
Plan B — non-thesis |
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Course
requirements
Plan B is a non-thesis program and requires a minimum of 30
credit hours in 400- through 700-level courses. The 30 credit
hours must include at least 6 but not more than 16 credit
hours from related departments (excluding courses cross-listed
in zoology or applicable to the zoology BA degree), 1 credit
of ZOOL 691C, and a minimum of 18 credits of 600-700 level
courses. Additionally, at least 2 but not more than 5 credits
of ZOOL 699 may be included within the 30 credits but not
towards the 18 credits of 600-700 level courses. A
research paper based on original scientific work is required.
This research is reported in a written paper and an oral presentation
to the student’s program committee.
Time limit
The Master’s degree is to be completed within five years.
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| Ph.D.
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Course
requirements
EFFECTIVE FOR FALL 2002, APPLICANTS
WITHOUT A M.S. MAY APPLY FOR ADMISSION DIRECTLY INTO THE Ph.D.
PROGRAM
For
students matriculating with a master's degree in Zoology (or
equivalent), there are no course requirements for the Ph.D.
degree other than the general requirements listed above (Zool
691C in the first year, and at least one graduate seminar
or topics course each year), and any courses required by the
student's dissertation committee.
For
students matriculating with only the bachelor's degree, a
minimum of 30 credits in 400-800 level courses is required
for the Ph.D. At least 24 of these credits (with a maximum
of 6 credits from 400-level courses) must be for approved
coursework excluding directed research (699) and dissertation
(800). Zool 691C is required in the first year, and
at least one graduate seminar or topics course in each following
year. As many as 6 of the 30 credits can be from related departments.
All courses cross-listed with Zoology, and all Biology courses
which can be counted towards a Zoology BA or BS, are considered
Zoology courses, not courses in a related department. A student's
dissertation committee may also require additional courses.
Comprehensive examination
Each doctoral student must pass an oral comprehensive examination,
administered by the student’s dissertation committee, that
emphasizes the dissertation field or research area but may
cover any facet of zoology.
Teaching
Teaching experience, typically but not necessarily as a teaching
assistant, is required of all doctoral students.
Dissertation and defense
The dissertation defense consists of a public oral presentation
of the research, together with oral examination by the dissertation
committee focused on but not restricted to the research.
Time limit
The Ph.D. degree is to be completed within seven years. For
students who enter as Master's students and subsequently swith
to the Ph.D. program without completing the master's degree,
the seven-year limit counts from when the student entered
the Zoology graduate program, not from the switch to the Ph.D.
program.
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